I Only Love You Because I Have To

Those who know me will probably blink a couple of times when they see the title for this post. After all, I’m not a flag waver…and am generally suspicious of those who are. (Blatant nationalism always puts me to thinking about Germany in the 1930s.)

But forgive me while I wax sentimental in recognition of the upcoming Independence Day holiday. I really do love America (our awful domestic airline service and the IRS notwithstanding), though it takes an occasional trip abroad to remind me of it sometimes. Here’s why it’s still pretty darn good to be an American:

No matter who you are or into what situation you were born, you really can be anything you want to be or do anything you want to do if you put your mind to it.

We still honor the free market system that drives the competition necessary to the pursuit of innovation and excellence.

We permit and encourage the right of every man and woman to question authority.

There are no limits (at least for now) on what any of us can achieve with hard work, dedication, and passion.

And, of course, you can buy gas here 24 hours a day, seven days a week for under $3 a gallon. Thank you, great and great-great grandparents for getting on those ships and crossing the Atlantic…and never looking back.